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A churchgoer who downloaded and distributed over 5,000 ‘horrendous’ indecent pictures of children has been jailed.

Christopher Moores, of Manchester Road, Haslingden, sought out the ‘depraved and horrific’ images over a seven year period which involved victims as young as three months old.

Police officers executed a warrant at his home on November 2 last year and seized four computer items with 5,124 images, Burnley Crown Court heard. They included 961 category A – the most serious type – 1,092 category B and 3,071 category C images.

Moores, 58, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images and one count of distribution and was jailed for two years.

He was also made to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told the court how Moores initially denied downloading the images and claimed they might have ended up on his computer when he was downloading music.

Miss Kehoe said the ‘horrendous images’ involved both boys and girls with the youngest victim three months old.

The court heard how the images spanned the ‘full spectre’ of ages up to late teens, with the majority of children aged nine to 11 years old.

Miss Kehoe said Moores had also engaged in conversations over the internet with another person and the pair discussed their interest in children and for Moores to transfer some of his images.

The court heard how Moores also told the person how he ‘preferred boys’ and also ‘liked children in uniform’.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Moores has no previous convictions and has suffered with physical and mental health issues.

He said: “He was the sole carer of his infirm parents and that put a considerable strain upon his life. He was very heavily medicated at that time and less so now.

“He describes his internet searching as an illicit escape. He had no concept of the seriousness of what he was doing. He certainly does now.”

Referring to a letter provided by Rev Stephen Brown, Mr Taylor said: “He doesn’t seek to diminish the seriousness of what has happened. While certainly not approving or condoning in any way what he has done, he will still receive support from the church and friends in the future.”

'Depraved, horrific and appalling acts'

Judge Simon Newell said the images downloaded by Christopher Moores were ‘some of the most depraved, horrific and appalling acts that one could possibly commit on a child’.

Sentencing, he said: “They involved children between the age of very small babies and up to 11 years old.

“Not only did you download them but there is evidence of distribution. That means not only did you download those images, but you assisted in another looking at those images which may well have been passed along the chain.

“Somewhere in the world some child or baby is being taken by others and put through these horrific, degrading sexual tortures.

“In many instances they will be caused pain and suffering. This is not a victimless crime.

“There are many people who have suffered so people like you can look at them.

“If there weren’t for people like you then the people who get these children involved wouldn’t have a market. That’s why these offences have to be dealt with seriously.”